How and why to update the router's firmware
Technologies / / December 30, 2020
If you haven't looked into your router's settings for years, chances are that the manufacturer released a firmware update for it during this time. And you should not neglect its installation: you will receive several useful benefits and secure your network. Fortunately, this is not so difficult to do.
Why update router firmware
Increased security
Perhaps the main reason you need to update your router's firmware is to maintain security. Security holes are often found in router firmware, and if left unpatched, your computer will be more vulnerable to viruses and other Internet dangers.
Discovering new features
Router manufacturers can add useful features to their devices through updates. For example, you can detect the appearance of parental controls, support repeater mode or other innovations.
Performance improvement
Finally, a good reason to upgrade your router's firmware is to increase its operating speed. The new version can be better optimized, and after installing it, the internet speed will increase slightly.
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How to update the router firmware
The newest routers can be updated both automatically and at the request of the user through the mobile application. But not all models have such capabilities, so in most cases you will have to perform the process manually. It may differ slightly from router to router, but it is generally similar.
Download firmware
Find out the name of your router, - it is written on its body. Then download the firmware file from a trusted source - the manufacturer's website. In our example, the TP ‑ Link router is named TL ‑ WR840N. We open the official website and find the corresponding model there.
Find the section "Support", "Downloads", Downloads or Support - this is where the firmware files are contained.
Please note that it is extremely important to install the correct firmware on the router, otherwise it may stop working.
Sometimes it happens that one router model has several so-called hardware versions. Examine the signatures on the device and make sure to download the appropriate firmware.
Go to router settings
When the firmware is loaded to disk, proceed to install it. To do this, open a browser and enter the router's IP into the address bar. Typically it is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
If these addresses do not fit, check the documentation for your router for the correct one. When you have entered the numbers you want, press Enter.
You will see a panel for entering the settings of the router. Here you need to enter password and login is most often a word admin. Sometimes the combination is used as a password 1234. If these credentials do not match, you will have to refer to the router documentation again.
Installing the update
When the settings are open, look for the firmware update option there. Most often it is located in the Advanced, Management, "Advanced Settings" or "System Tools" section - depending on the router model. Select "Software Update".
Now is the time to make sure that the firmware version you downloaded is newer than the one installed. The existing software is displayed in the router settings.
Now you need to point the router to the downloaded file firmware. If your router is equipped with a USB port, you may need to write the new firmware file to a flash drive and connect the media to the port. But in most cases, it is enough to click on the Open or "Open" button and select the file downloaded from the manufacturer's website on your computer disk.
After selecting the desired item, click Update or Refresh and wait until the process is complete.
Do not interrupt the process, otherwise the router may fail.
So don't get started renewal during a thunderstorm or at times when there are too frequent power outages.
When the process is complete, the router will reboot. This usually happens automatically, but if the router asks, you will have to manually reboot it.
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